thomas



(No Model.)

H. T. THOMAS.

COMBINED PICTURE EXHIBITOR AND PORTFOLIO.

Patented Aug. 8, 1882.

N. PETERS. Pholn-lhhognphur, Washington. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY T. THOMAS, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW' YORK.

COMBINED PICTURE-EXHIBITOR AND PORTFOLIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 262,507, dated August8, 1882.

Application filed December 22, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY T. THOMAS, of NewRochelle, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Combined Picture-Exhibitor and Portfolio, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to furnish a portfolio for holdingpictures, plates, maps, or charts, which will dispense with the use ofan easel, and also for conveniently carrying and displaying pictures,plates, maps, charts, &c.

To these ends my invention consists in the easel-portfolio hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specificatiomin which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective of my improved artiele, and Fig. 2 is across-section of the same in an open position.

The portfolio proper consists of the stiff boards a a, forming the twosides and united by a flexible hinge portion, b. The boards may be ofany suitable size and material. 0 is a board of similar size andmaterial, attached by a flexible hinge-piece, d, to the outer edge ofone side, a, so as to form a folding or hinged leaf at the back of theportfolio.

6 e are tapes connecting the board 0 to the back side a of theportfolio, so as to limit the extent to which the leaf can be opened. Bythis construction the hinged leaf 0 forms a support for retaining theback side a, in a nearly upright position, as shown in Fig. 2. In thisposition the back board a and leaf 0 serve as (No model.)

an easel, on which the pictures or plates are retained in a convenientposition for inspection. The front board ais to be turned down in frontof the easel for receiving the pictures as they are turned over.

When closed together the article serves as a portfolio for use in theusual manner to protect the pictures, plates, 800., while being carriedor otherwise.

This device is simple and convenient, and obviates the necessity andexpense of an case]. It is also especially adapted for travelers, andcan be readily set up on a table or desk to display the pictures orother contents to the best advantage without the necessity of being heldby the hands or otherwise supported.

I am aware that a picture case or frame has been provided with a hingedback and flexible connecting-bands, the said back being provided withflaps adapted, when the back is closed upon the frame, to be folded overthe latter, and I therefore lay no claim to such construction; but

What I claim is As an improved article of manufacture, a combinedpicture-exhibitor and portfolio consisting of the three stiffboards a a0, connected together by flexible hinges b d and flexible braces c e,the whole adapted to hold and exhibit a series of pictures,substantially as described and shown, and for the purpose set forth.

HENRY T. THOMAS.

